Can Steel Toe Work Boots Cause Back Pain? [Reasons & Remedies]

Nearly 54% of American employees report having back discomfort at least once a year, according to the American Chiropractic Association.

Nearly 80 percent of back pain cases are caused by wearing improper footwear, not sports injuries!
Yes, that’s correct!

Back discomfort can result from wearing the wrong boots, which can stretch the nerves of the feet, resulting in a blockage in blood flow.

As a result, the pelvic joints are linked to the bones in the feet, and the spinal cord originates in the pelvic region.

Consequently, any injury to the tissues, nerves, veins, and joints in the foot immediately affects the spinal cord and causes lower back discomfort.

If you are not wearing the proper footwear for the task, you are placing unnecessary strain on your joints and feet, which results in lower back discomfort and misalignment.

While it’s common knowledge that wearing high heels is bad for your back, did you realize why your steel toe work boots cause back pain?

---

How Steel Toe Work Boots Can Cause Back Pain and How to Cure It?

We’ll discuss the main elements in work boots that contribute to back discomfort and how to avoid them:

1. Excessive amount of heel is detrimental to your back.

Another point to consider is the heel of your steel toe work boots. If your steel toe work boots have higher heels and insufficient internal arch support, this will have a direct effect on your backbone.

As is the case with higher heels, your hips move forward in lockstep with your center of gravity. Calf muscles contract and adapt to the new foot posture, and your weight moves from a well-balanced distribution to being centered on the ball of your feet.

As a result, the heels carry a significantly greater amount of weight on the body and transfer the discomfort straight to the spine.

The most appropriate heel is elevated above the typical heel height of the boot, providing shock absorption and enough support.

Therefore, it is preferable to use steel toe work boots with a heel height of no more than 1″.

---

2. Purchasing low-cost, inconvenient steel toe work boots.

If your boots are not supplied with a high-quality, well-cushioned footbed, your feet will come into contact with the ground, which may cause pain.

Cushions provide a cushioned platform for the feet and absorb a significant portion of the body’s weight, which helps alleviate foot discomfort and makes them more comfortable.

Additionally, you may insert an additional orthopedic insole, which is more effective in preventing foot discomfort than a

standard boot cushion

---

3. Using non-work footwear as work boots

Your everyday boots are less resistant to chemicals and abrasion than a work boot.

Work boots are designed primarily for comfort and safety on the job. They have a support disk in the heel and a shank beneath the midsole for further durability.

As a result, your standard work boots are inconvenient for your workplace and may cause foot and back pain.

---

4. Your steel toe work boots do not include an arch support.

If your steel toe work boots lack enough arch support, the arch collapses, stretching the foot, nerves, ligaments, and muscles.

It is a leading cause of foot and back ailments. (Another example would be slips and falls.)

Work boots must include a midsole and arch support. These support the feet and prevent the ligaments and bones of the foot from twisting and turning.

Additionally, the steel shank provides the appropriate amount of support for the feet.

---

5. You are wearing boots that are too large for your feet.

Wearing incorrectly fitting steel toe work boots, which are often smaller, might cause your toes to feel constricted inside the boots, with the arch feeling the most painful.

In this position, the whole weight of the body is concentrated on a single region, resulting in discomfort or foot pain.

Make certain that the steel toe work boot you purchase has enough room for your toes to adjust and that your heels do not slip on either side.

To guarantee the correct fit, it is recommended that your work boots include a lace-up mechanism.

---

6. Standing in your steel toe work boots all day

Standing in your steel toe work boots for eight, nine, or more hours every day adds to chronic and considerable muscular fatigue and back discomfort.

This is horrible news for the millions of employees who earn their income by standing on hard surfaces all day.

While two hours of standing on the job are acceptable, prolonged standing is related to a variety of musculoskeletal ailments such as backaches and leg cramps.

---

Conclusion: Can Steel Toe Work Boots Cause Back Pain?

There are almost certainly more reasons why you have back discomfort when wearing steel toe work boots. However, if you pay attention to the things indicated above…

• Put on low-heeled steel toe work boots.
• Ascertain that your steel toe work boots provide arch support.
• At all costs, avoid wearing normal boots as work boots.
• Take a few breaks throughout your lengthy shifts and remove your boots while you relax.
• Select the appropriate safety footwear for your activity.
• AVOID CHEAP BOOTS!!! (By this, I mean avoid low-quality products. If you’re on a budget, here’s a selection of excellent quality inexpensive work boots.)

… the likelihood of experiencing back discomfort is significantly lowered!